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Brazilian Peace Operations Joint Training Center promotes Gender Equality in the training of the 25th Brazilian Contingent in Haiti

Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - On 28 July, the Subunit Commanders and Platoon Leaders Course (EPCOSUPEL, acronym in Portuguese) ended at the Brazilian Peace Operations Joint Training Center (CCOPAB). The attendees were officers from the Brazilian Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) who will take part in BRABAT/BRAENGCOY 25.

The two-week course emphasized the preparation of the military personnel to command subunits and platoons. They were given instructions in Peace Operations doctrine, and also had controlled practice to consolidate learning.

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Female officer performs tasks during foot patrol training

Gender issues related to Peacekeeping operations, Rules of Engagement, Less Lethal Weapons and Progression Techniques in Urban Areas were some of the topics addressed in the course.

Concerning gender issues, the officers received instructions on the importance of joint work between men and women in Peacekeeping Operations. The relevance of women's role in many aspects of military operations in peace stabilization environment was highlighted. It aims to expand the awareness of the operational environment, mainly concerning the protection of women and children against violence.

“[...] the appreciation of the gender issue in the training for peace operations is very important, mainly for the increase of the participation [...] of women employed in peace missions. This concern is also important for the peace mission to succeed, as the troops have direct contact with the civilians and must have special care towards women and children”

Captain Luana Gutierrez, Commander of the Medical Platoon in the preparation phase of BRABAT 25
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Lecture delivered by PhD Renata Giannini (PhD in International Studies at the Old Dominion University Norfolk/United States of America) on the formation of human resources on Gender Perspectives in Peacekeeping Operations.

During the training at CCOPAB, there is a program in which the future female peacekeepers perform the same tasks, undergo the same levels of difficulty and are also evaluated on the same criteria as the other peacekeeping male soldiers, promoting a feeling of equality and appreciation of the joint work between both genders.

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Evaluation of the conduct of foot patrols in urban areas

“[...] I never felt different from the male students; I could perform all the tasks the same way and at the same level of difficulty."

Captain Luana Gutierrez, Commander of the Medical Platoon in the preparation phase of BRABAT 25
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Brazilian Army Officers putting on the Personal Protective Equipment for the instructions

Brazil has been increasing the participation of women in Peacekeeping Operations. In the 23rd Brazilian Contingent in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) there was a great evolution when the biggest female team was deployed by the country to a mission of this nature. Thus, it is possible to notice that the consolidation of the gender equality policy in the Brazilian Armed Forces is being provided.

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